Master of Taxation Program Question

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Comments (24)

rwbil
in Bethesda, Maryland

84 months ago

I have always like accounting and taxes and I am thinking about getting my Master of Taxation Degree. My goal is to only work part time or during the tax season in semi-retirement. My undergraduate degree is a B.S.E.E. and have not worked in the accounting field before. My question is I know one person who works for H&R Block and he told me he only makes between $10-$14 per hour. I really do not want to go back and study for 2 years at a cost of over $25K to make $10-$14 / hour. The one bad thing about doing taxes is anybody can do them with no degree. Does anybody here know what I could expect to make if I only wanted to work part time or during the tax season with such a masters degree. I could try and get my CPA, but is there much demand for a part time person in that field.

There is a big demand for part time people during the tax season. I know CPA's that make enough during 4 months of tax season that live comfortablly the rest of the year with out working. They do work 60 hours a week during the season. If you do decide to go back to school I strongly recommned getting your CPA too. This will give you a much hire wage and make it easier for you to get into a good paying firm. I know some that make $40/hr doing temporary tax work.

I have a BA in International Trade and a MBA. Both of them were obtained in oversea. What should I complete to be able to take CPA exams in North Carolina? Any information would be appreciated. Thank you.

Delphine in Raleigh, North Carolina said: I have a BA in International Trade and a MBA. Both of them were obtained in oversea. What should I complete to be able to take CPA exams in North Carolina? Any information would be appreciated. Thank you.

I would contact the NCACPA. They should be able to answer any questions you have.

Don't be discouraged by what your friend at H&R Block says! I am currently completing a double degree in accounting and property at the University of QLD, Brisbane, Australia. I have worked in various jobs during my university studies, including as a tax consultant at H&R Block. Let me tell you that H&R Block pay is the "lowest" of all chartered and CPA firms out there. I am still an undergraduate, but the hourly rate I am getting now is much better than the H&R Block rate. Plus H&R Block is shift work only, whereas with chartered or CPA firms, you are working set hours. If you really want a stable, least-stressful (believe me I know) well-paying job, then go for your Taxation Masters, because there is so much demand out there! I will become a registered tax agent in Australia in a couple of years and here an agent has to be booked weeks in advance. It's only sole-traders and companies like H&R Block and ITP (Australian equivalent) that give the profession a bad image (because they let everyone prepare returns for low-fees).

Hope my comment helps! Forget about H&R Block. Make contacts with partners/directors in some local chartered/CPA firms. They might offer you the support you need to become a tax accountant/agent.

rwbil in Bethesda, Maryland said: I have always like accounting and taxes and I am thinking about getting my Master of Taxation Degree. My goal is to only work part time or during the tax season in semi-retirement. My undergraduate degree is a B.S.E.E. and have not worked in the accounting field before. My question is I know one person who works for H&R Block and he told me he only makes between $10-$14 per hour. I really do not want to go back and study for 2 years at a cost of over $25K to make $10-$14 / hour. The one bad thing about doing taxes is anybody can do them with no degree. Does anybody here know what I could expect to make if I only wanted to work part time or during the tax season with such a masters degree. I could try and get my CPA, but is there much demand for a part time person in that field.

H & R Block is not an accounting/tax firm. They prepare taxes(usually personal) and sell software. they close the doors April 16th ,,,,,,,like most of the services you see around tax time every year.

A firm would have a book of business and deal with tax issues through out the year.

I am 53 and done with my accounting degree and now I want to know if I go for my masters which would be a better fit for my age. A masters in Controllership or a Masters in Taxation. I will take my C.P.A. This fall, Please help all comment are welcome.

Your choice should be based on your desire and preference in the career path you wish to take. Do you want to work in tax, or do you want to be more involved in financail planning and reporting. With you CPA there are plenty of job opportunities, it just depends on which type of work interests you the most.

Hey guys I am getting my Masters in Tax right now but I do not have an accounting degree or any experience. My hope is to get a tax accountant job but will I be able to if I only have a Masters. Thank you

ozman2000 in Glen Cove, New York said: Hey guys I am getting my Masters in Tax right now but I do not have an accounting degree or any experience. My hope is to get a tax accountant job but will I be able to if I only have a Masters. Thank you

Where are u getting the MS from? I always wanted to get a masters in Taxation.

Scott in Durham, North Carolina said: There is a big demand for part time people during the tax season. I know CPA's that make enough during 4 months of tax season that live comfortablly the rest of the year with out working. They do work 60 hours a week during the season. If you do decide to go back to school I strongly recommned getting your CPA too. This will give you a much hire wage and make it easier for you to get into a good paying firm. I know some that make $40/hr doing temporary tax work.

Sam Cooke in New York, New York said: I am 53 and done with my accounting degree and now I want to know if I go for my masters which would be a better fit for my age. A masters in Controllership or a Masters in Taxation. I will take my C.P.A. This fall, Please help all comment are welcome.

Waited til i was 30, and it was worth it. Go for it!
Jeff Kovalski, CPA

I currently work for HR Block a Franchisee. I have been working for HR Block since 2006. I make 8.00hr during tax season, commission check after tax season is over based upon what I do. I am also currently in school. I am graduating in May 2013 with an Associates degree in Accounting. I also have a bookkeeping background, small business background, and non-profit background.

I am looking to get experience in an Accounting Firm to see which way I want to go, after school. I enjoy taxes.
Do accounting firms pay the same way during tax season?
Can you recommend accounting firms to apply with?

Delphine in Raleigh, North Carolina said: I have a BA in International Trade and a MBA. Both of them were obtained in oversea. What should I complete to be able to take CPA exams in North Carolina? Any information would be appreciated. Thank you.

You must have a total of 30 accounting credits regardless of how many degrees you have. you can take the classes at a communitycollege which is cheaper and save your money for the preparation course.

ozman2000 in Glen Cove, New York said: Hey guys I am getting my Masters in Tax right now but I do not have an accounting degree or any experience. My hope is to get a tax accountant job but will I be able to if I only have a Masters. Thank you

You could take CPA with 30 accounting credits. You already a degree. ause of Sabanes Oxley laws (spell check) jobs will be available. It's a growing because of the new laws. I think CPA work better than masters for a newbie. Masters will elevate you once you have experience.

If your passion is to do Taxes, then become an Enrolled Agent. Forget the CPA, forget the Degree. If you can learn by reading, then become an Enrolled Agent with IRS. You just take a 3-Part Exam. If you pass and you then are an Enrolled Agent with IRS and can practice before the US Court. You have CEUs like CPA but they are tax specific. So some CPA's do not do CEU's in Tax so you have an advantage.

The recent comment is precisely correct that work in the tax field does not require a CPA license. Even the readers who are already CPAs and want to focus on the tax industry are not benefited by advanced degrees like Masters in Taxation. In fact, Enrolled Agents earn just as much as CPAs on the staffs of local tax practices. These firms have plenty of positions available and cannot find qualified candidates. They prefer experienced tax pros but passing the Enrolled Agents exam is proof of tax ability -- even more so than being a CPA. Free sample EA exam questions are available at fastforwardacademy.com/enrolled-agent-exam-prep.htm for anyone who wants to consider a tax career.

Read This in Norfolk, Virginia said: If your passion is to do Taxes, then become an Enrolled Agent. Forget the CPA , forget the Degree. If you can learn by reading, then become an Enrolled Agent with IRS. You just take a 3-Part Exam. If you pass and you then are an Enrolled Agent with IRS and can practice before the US Court . You have CEUs like CPA but they are tax specific. So some CPA's do not do CEU's in Tax so you have an advantage.

Hey fellow Excel Lovers! Now why would anyone ever discourage people from taking the CPA? hahaha I am on part 3/4. If you are not 200% dedicated ( I mean not having a life is just a start) than steer clear of the CPA exam. I had times when I just wanted to teach finger painting to kids.

As for the EA vs CPA vs MS here is the truth of it from my 8+ years in taxation. Experience wins in the tax world - I don't care if you are a CPA, JD , LLM unless you have experience you can forget it. I personally believe that Taxation and Accounting should be solidified with a degree or license. To think you put in all that time and never got the MS or sat for the CPA is funny. Fail and try I always say than not try at all. So I don't mean to knock on the EU but if you are serious about it, get the experience and the certificate.